The Baldwin County Education Coalition recently recognized outstanding educators from across the county while Foley continues to celebrate continued academic progress in area schools.

During the 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year Banquet, several educators from Foley-area schools were honored as their schools’ Teachers of the Year. Those recognized included:

  • Kerry Becton, multiple disabilities, special education and K-2, Florence B. Mathis Elementary
  • Amanda Welsh, second grade, Foley Elementary
  • Brandy Richard, AP U.S. history, AP human geography, U.S. history II, Foley High
  • Michelle Dillon, science, Foley Middle
  • Kaitlyn Martin, kindergarten, Magnolia Elementary
  • Angela Ingraham, special education, Swift Consolidated

Foley educators were also well represented among Baldwin County’s National Board Certified Teachers. Four of the 10 teachers recognized at the banquet were from Foley schools. Christina Henson (Foley Middle), Terri Smith (Foley High), Lisa Tidwell (Foley Elementary) and Alicia Morrison (Foley Elementary) either earned or renewed their national certification.

The Foley City Council and the Foley Education Advisory Committee have also recognized the achievements of local schools, noting significant improvements in state report card scores.

For the first time, all six Foley-area public schools earned a “B” rating on the state report card. Over the past three years, each campus has shown measurable progress:

  • Foley High School increased from 70 to 80
  • Foley Middle School improved from 68 to 81
  • Florence B. Mathis Elementary rose from 79 to 83
  • Foley Elementary increased from 79 to 85
  • Magnolia Elementary improved from 77 to 83
  • Swift Consolidated rose from 78 to 82

City officials said the improvements reflect strong collaboration between the city and the Baldwin County Board of Education. The City of Foley has committed $300,000 annually to support local schools through the advisory committee, with matching funds provided by the school system.

Ralph Hellmich said the partnership is helping schools reach new levels of achievement.

“Last year, in a statewide grading program, all of our schools in Foley now grade a ‘B.’ This is the first time, in my memory, that we were able to do that,” Hellmich said. “Our partnership with Baldwin is an asset that helps healthy schools go over the top.”

Hellmich said the city will continue working closely with school leaders to build on that success.

“We’re hoping that we get some schools in the coming year to ‘A.’ We are working closely with the Baldwin County Board of Education,” he said. “We’re proud to do that. We did that without putting a tax on the citizens and we’re going to continue to work with them and improve our schools.”

At the county level, Elizabeth Von Hofe of Spanish Fort Elementary School was named Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Emily Hudson of Spanish Fort High School was named Secondary Teacher of the Year. Both will advance for consideration in the Alabama Teacher of the Year program.

Each school in Baldwin County selects a Teacher of the Year, with a panel of judges choosing one elementary and one secondary educator to represent the system at the state level.